Letters

Regarding "Letter from Philip Barnett" (Winter 1999)

Philip Barnett implies that I had a problem with Marc Brodsky's intelligence or
character. Not so. My essential problem with AIP/APS (not Brodsky in particular) is
their policy of leveraging the shortfall in library funding to their commercial
benefit. They abdicated their mission and their responsibilities to their members
and the taxpayers that subsidize them. This policy betrays the mission that is
clearly stated in every catalog and membership brochure:

"promoting the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of physics and its
application to human welfare."

Barnett also suggests that I want increases in the research budget. I do not. I
want parity for libraries. I call for reforms in the allocation of resources.
There is no need for, "asking for even more from the federal government," as
Barnett implies. It would make more sense for science policy to emphasize library
research and resource so that grant proposals and peer reviews would be better
informed. I can suggest three more reforms that need no added Federal money.

The allocation of indirect overhead should be earmarked to support collections
for preparation of research, (rather than as an administrative afterthought tied to
grants already awarded)

Federal science agencies should qualify the resources that their contractors
use, just as USDA assures the quality of food by inspecting and approving food
processing plants.

Federal science agencies should emphasize the comprehensive (task-force if need
be) study of all scientific results in many areas of science, medicine, and
technology before considering new proposals. "Work smarter, not harder."